Do you struggle to complete tasks as a leader? These tips will help you keep your eye on the prize and reap the rewards.?
Staying focused on your goals can be a challenge, even for the most driven leaders. Feelings of demotivation, fatigue or setbacks can creep in, threatening to derail your progress. However, with the right strategies, you can maintain focus and get where you want to go, no matter where that is.
Here are five ways to keep on track that you can apply to your own career or the projects you are working on with your team:
1. Set goals and write them down
Setting clear, achievable goals is the first step to staying focused. When you write down your goals, whether with pen and paper or digitally, you engage your brain more effectively than when you are simply thinking about them. With your goals written down, you’ll be able to organise your thoughts, resources and time as you work towards achieving them.
Writing things down is a good habit for life. Take notes when listening to podcasts, speeches or conversations. Jotting down key points, quotes or ideas can activate your brain and allow you to reflect back on them later. This note-taking process is a powerful tool for learning and staying focused.
2. Break your goals into small bite-sizes
One of the biggest obstacles to staying focused is feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks required to achieve a goal. It’s easy to become stressed and lose motivation when confronted with a daunting to-do list.
The solution is to break your goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This “bite-size” approach triggers your brain’s reward system, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine when you complete each mini-task. It’s a bit like the analogy of spinning plates—trying to keep too many plates spinning at once will only lead to them all crashing down, so only ‘spin’ a couple at a time. Tick them off, then move onto the next thing.
3. Engage with a support network
Surrounding yourself with a network of supportive individuals can make a significant difference when it comes to keeping your eye on the prize. These could be family, friends, colleagues or members of a dedicated accountability group.
Having people who can offer guidance, motivation and a listening ear when you’re feeling demotivated will pull you out of a slump. An accountability partner or group provides a sense of shared purpose and the encouragement to keep pushing forward, even when the going gets tough.
4. Exercise to get ‘match fit’
Exercise is a powerful tool for maintaining focus and motivation. Any form of activity that elevates your heart rate, from yoga to aerobics, can have a positive impact on your mood and mental state. Exercise acts as a form of meditation, allowing you to focus your mind on the task at hand and lower your stress levels.
Becoming an ‘active relaxer’—someone who finds calm and rejuvenation through an activity like cooking dinner at the end of the day—can be a game-changer for your productivity and focus. Incorporate exercise into your routine, whether it’s a daily walk, a gym session or a dance class, and experience the benefits for yourself.
5. Reward yourself
It’s important to recognise and celebrate your smaller achievements as you progress towards achieving your larger goals. Taking the time to reward yourself for completing tasks or reaching milestones can have a significant psychological impact. This will reinforce the value of your hard work and motivate you to continue.
Rewards don’t have to be grand. You can take a short break, buy a treat or make time for an enjoyable activity to provide that sense of accomplishment. As a leader, you should also consider ways to reward your team. A culture of recognition and motivation can take things much further, faster.
Finally, keep it simple. Don’t overwhelm yourself with dozens of things you want to achieve. Keep your list to 3-5 things so it’s not overcomplicated and you’ll have a greater sense of accomplishment.
